The Peace of Pure Existence Is the Foundation for All Spiritual Development

All of the action that takes place in the world, in the galaxy, in the universe, occurs within a vast, unmoving, wide space. The ancient Vedic Rishis termed this basis of reality, Satyam, Ritam, Brihat, the Truth, the Right, the Vast. Incalculable energies of galaxies with innumerable stars, and the consequent movement of radiation, and the development of solar systems, planets, and eventually the development of life-forms all take place within this immovable background, which seemingly holds all these energies, but does not react; rather, while the forces interplay with one another, galaxies collide, stars explode, black holes capture matter, radiation moves through space, and at our level, various beings live and interact in a symbiotic coexistence, there is a deep and abiding peace in the background that an individual can experience when he steps back from the identification with the exte
al consciousness.

The ultimate Reality is known as Sat-Chit-Ananda, representing the pure existence, consciousness force, and bliss. This reality is the foundation of the entire creation, yet it is not affected, does not react and remains above and outside the movement, even while it acts as the container and originator of the movement.

As long as we identify with the exte
al personality we undergo the modifications of every impulse, every energy, every provocation, every force that acts upon us. The mind is therefore constantly vibrating and we have no peace. As we shift our standpoint back, away from that of the exte
al personality, however, we begin to participate in the wideness, the stillness that supports, holds but does not become a victim of the forces of creation. The more we develop this identification with the witness consciousness, the Purusha, the deeper is the calm and the peace that we can hold. We find our conscious awareness widening, and we are able to hold more and more of the descent of the divine forces as they enter our being. Without a foundation of this pure calm and peace, we will spill that energy and either waste the opportunity or wind up with a breakdown of body, life or mind.

Sri Aurobindo observes: “Calm, even if it seems at first only a negative thing, is so difficult to attain, that to have it at all must be regarded as a great step in advance.”

“In reality, calm is not a negative thing, it is the very nature of the Sat-Purusha and the positive foundation of the divine consciousness. Whatever else is aspired for and gained, this must be kept. Even Knowledge, Power, Ananda, if they come and do not find this foundation, are unable to remain and have to withdraw until the divine purity and peace of the Sat-Purusha are permanently there.”

“Aspire for the rest of the divine consciousness, but with a calm and deep aspiration. It can be ardent as well as calm, but not impatient, restless or full of rajasic eage
ess.”

“Only in the quiet mind and being can the supramental Truth build its true creation.”

Sri Aurobindo, Bases of Yoga, Chapter 1, Calm — Peace — Equality, pg. 8